Refrigerator construction



May 31, 1932. H. KUCKEL REFRIGERATOR CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 27, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet l i fglafi fig. 1.

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Patented May 31, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE nmsnnrxccxnn, or new onnmns, LOUISIANA REFRIGERATOR CONSTRUCTION Application filed August 27, 1930. Serial No. 478,258.

This inventionrelates to refrigerator shelving and especially to improvem'entsin .the construction of supports for movable or extent of its length, so as to expose to view its p whole contents without stooping to er in and so that any article on it may be li ted directly upward without having to tilt to avoid Another obyect is to provide improved center support for wide refrigerators with twin shelves, to utilize formerly wasted space in the center.

Another object is to provide shock absorbers to bring shelves to an easy stop when shoved in with their contents. I

Another object is to provide supports for such movable shelves which are removable for cleaning by simply being lifted out, but which are positively held in place against accidental displacement.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is aside elevation of a plurality of such shelves, with the refrigerator body in section.

. Figure 2 is a partial view of the same, with the shelf baskets removed.

Figure 3 is a partial front view, in perspective, with further removal of parts, showing rods 3 supported at the rear by anchor sockets 2 and at the front on rollers 4.

Figure 4 is a vertical section of an anchor socket 2 and cooperating parts, withthe end of rod 3 in place.

Figure5 is a perspective view of the anchor end of rod 3, showing its anchor shoul- Figure 10 is a front view of same. Figure 11 is a side view of the center 0st, with brackets instead of rollers in the s anting slots. 1

Figure 12 is a front view of same.

Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of socket 17, seen at the top of the center ost.

Figure 14 is a top view of a shelf basket 34, with refrigerator walls 1 in section. Figure 15 is a perspective view of tubes 6, showing corners 55 of Figure 14 on which the shelf basket 34 rests.

Figure 16 is aside view of a shelf basket, with tube 6 and corner 55 in section.

Figure 17 is a section through tube 6 an corner 55 of Figure 16, with a partial view of shelf basket 34.

Figure 18 is a perspective view showing corner 55 and its su porting blocks 53 and 54 seen in section in igure 17.

Figure 19 is a side view of a shelf basket 34 with outer and inner telescoping members 27 and 26 on rods 3.

Figure 20 is a top view of same.

Figure 21 is a perspective view showing details of member 27 in Figure 19.

Figure 22 is a section of members 27 and 26, with a partial view of shelf basket 34 resting on member 27. so

Fi ure 23 is a perspective view of member 26, with its stop arm 28 of Figure 19.

Figure 24'is a top view of a shelf basket 34, with a modified support, as seen in Figure 25.

Figure 25 is a perspective view of tubes 6, with corners 56 and ears 57 and 58 to be bent over wires of the shelf -basket.

Figure 26 is a bottom view of a corner 56, with its supporting blocks 53 and 54 for at- 99 tachment to tube 6.

Fi re 27 is a top view. of a corner 56, showing ears 57 and 58 bent over wires 34 of a shelf basket.

Figure 28 is a section showing the parts in 95 Figures 26 and 27 v Figure 29 is a front view of a shelf basket 34 mounted on corners 56 and tubes 6 and resting on rollers 4.

Figure 30 is a side view of a slanting socket-ma 37, seen in Figure 29, for receiving a roller Figure 31 is a face view of same.

Figure 32 is a side view of a roller and spindle with slanting peg 39 to be inserted lIl socket 37 of Figures and 31.

Figure 33 is a top view of a shelf basket 34 mounted on member 27, showing the position of liftable catch 46.

Figure 34 is a perspective view showing part of shelf basket 34, mounted on member 27, with catch 46 and lifting loop 49.

Figure is aperspective view showing modifications of member 27 differing from F ii ire 21 and with hole 47 for catch 46.

igure 36 is a perspective detail 'of catch 46 and its lifting loop 49 seen in Figure 34.

Figure 37 is a further detail of catch 46, showing its point against shoulder 41 on member 26, seen in Figure 23.

Figure 38 is a furtherdetail, showing an end view of catch 46 resting on member 26, with members 26 and 27 in section.

The same numerals refer to corresponding parts in the different figures of the drawings.

The present invention provides improvements on my refrigerator shelf construction disclosed in my Patent No. 1,748,843. In that construction, a shelf basket has tubular members attached to its bottom side edges, which telescope over and slide on rods anchored at the rear to the refrigerator wall and are supported at the front on rollers.

The refrigerator walls are designated by the numeral 1 in the different figures. In the rear wall 1 of Figure 3 are seen a plurality of sockets 2, which support the rear ends of rods 3, the front ends lying loosely on top of grooved rollers of a double door rods supported by hand Wall. Center refrigerator, with three three rollers on the left post 5 has corresponding rollers supporting rods, making three pairs of rods for supporting three shelves. The third tier down has a double roller on the center post and a double socket on the rear wall, showing the manner of providing for shelves on the right hand side of the refrigerator also.

Asinniyformerpatent, a shelf is provided with a tube 6 at each side bottom edge, see Figures 16 and 14. In the present invention improvements are provided in the construction of tubes 6, for facilitating their attachlrnent to the shelves, as will be described be- By starting the tubes of such a shelf on the ends of a pair of rods 3 in Figure 3, the shelf may be shoved back into the normal position of a refrigerator shelf. Rods 3 will then be lifted slightly off the rollers, the tubes rolling on the rollers and telescoping over the rods as the shelf slides back.

In service the shelf is easily drawn forward to obtain an article stored on it, slid- 4. Figure 3 shows half,

and rolling forward until stop 7 meets I in rofier 4. To remove the shelf for cleaning% it is only necessary to lift the entire she basket, which lifts tubes and rods with it until stops 7 ass over rollers 4. As the tubes are ullet i off the end of the rods, the rods drop ack on the rollers, as in Fi re 3.

But it was found that unless the she f was taken away with a careful straight movement, the rods would often miss the rollers in dropping back. The present invention remedies this defect by providin a lug 8, Figure' 5, on the rod near its anc or end, which prevents lateral swing of the rod, as understood from Figure 3, where lugs 8 are seen so placed on the rods as to prevent lateral swing, forcing them to drop on the rollers.

A further improvement in the resent invention is the shock absorbing soc et 2, supporting the rear ends of rods 3, seen in section in Figures 4 and 8. ,As here shown, a rubber cushion cup 9 fits into socket 2 which is formed in the rear wall and a metal anchor cup 10 fits loosely into cushion on 9, being restrained from falling out by macfiine screw 11, on which it is free to move back somewhat, as seen in Figure 8, against the resistance of rubber cushion cup 9.

In Figure 6 is a front view of the rubber cushion cup 9, looking inside. The bottom appears much thicker than other parts, by reason of slender transverse corrugations 12 standing up inside on the bottom. And in Figure 7 is shown the anchor cup 10, looking at its outside from the rear, showing the underside with a terraced formation 13.

In the front face 14 of the anchor cup is an odd shaped anchor hole 15, indicated in dotted lines in Figure 7. Through thishole screw 11 is entered into the threads in socket 2. Anchor hole 15 has the shape of the end 16 of rod 3, Figure 5, when the rod is inverted. On being righted after insertion, the rod is anchored by its shoulders 17 in anchor cup 10, with lug 8 against face 14 to prevent lateral swing of rod 3. The rods are made with lugs right and left. as required. When a shelf basket is shoved in then, it is not stopped by an abrupt meeting of metal parts. Steps 13 of anchor cup 10 grip corrugations 12 of cushion cup 9 and bend them back, stopping the shelf basket without jar.

Center post 5 is broad to give it strength, but is very thin, so that waste space between right and left shelf baskets is almost eliminated. Bottom and top sockets provide for its easy removal. In Figure 13 is shown the top socket17, with plates 18, to which it is normally pivoted by a .pin through holes 19. Holes 20 provide for screwing the plates to the top of the door frame. Socket 17 is seen also in Figures 9. 10, 11 and 12. Holding post 5 in the position of the dotted lines 5 a in Figure 9 and with socket 17 swung a httle outward on the pivot 19, the post may be thrust up into the socket until its bottom end passes over and will drop into bottom socket move it, so that it is held securely against accidental displacement.

In Figure 9, the slanting slots 23 provide secure support for the spindles of rollers 4.

In Figure 10, rollers 4 women with spindle r 24 passing through post 5 where this is shown in section. Figures 11 and 12 show post 5 again, with the same sockets, latch and slanting slots, but with brackets '25 instead of rollers inserted in the slots. The brackets are suitable for small refrigerators having small shelves, where less weight is to be carried, rods 3 being supported by them and tubes 6 sliding on them, the same as with rollers for larger shelves.

In the present invention an improvement is provided, by which shelves may be drawn out farther than in my former patent, while still supported firmly. A double telescoping arrangement is shown in Figure 19, where rod 3 is still supported at the rear by wall 1 and at the front by roller 4. But in this improvement an intermediate tube 26 slides on rod 3 and on this tube an outer tubular member 27 slides, the three members telescoping together when the shelf is back in normal position.

When the shelf is drawn forward, intermediate tube 26 slides forward on rod 3, while member 27 rolls on roller 4, until the stop arm 28, attached to tube 26, meets roller 4'. Member 27 then slides forward on tube 26, still rolling on roller 4, until the shelf basket stands out in full view with all articles on it accessible.

Figure 20 is a top view of the shelf basket, showing the two members 27 under its two bottom side edges, with intermediate tubes 26 and rods 3 protruding behind. shows a suitable construction for a right and left pair of members 27. The open channel 27 has a fiat cover 29, with its flange 30 to be riveted to the upstanding edge 31 of the channel and its flat portion to be riveted to the flange 32 of the channel, by means of the rows of rivet holes shown.

The cover is provided with corners 33 turned up as guides within which the shelf basket sits. Ears 35 serve asfurther guides to wires of the basket, as seen in top view in Figure 20. Figure 22 shows a section of chaune 27 and cover 29 forming the completed tubular member, with intermediate tube 26 inside of it and with corner 33 and car 35 serving as guides confining wires of basket34.

Figure 23 shows intermediate tube 26 with its stop arm 28 for limiting its forward movement. When the basket is removed from the Figure 21 i refrigerator for cleaning or other reason, intermediate tube 26 and member 27 are left protruding from the door of the refrigerator and liable to be knocked accidentally. To avoid injury to the rear attachment of rod 3 by such accidental displacement, stop arm 28 is provided with a finger 36 which glides under roller 4 and locks to it, as seen in Figure 19. It is important then that the rollers which are on the door frame side should be securely mounted.

To provide for this and also for easy removal of the roller by simply lifting out, square sockets 37, Figure 30, are set into the side wall or door frame, sloping steeply down- 'ward, secured by screws through holes in front plate 38, as seen in Figure 31. Into the socket a square peg 39, Figure 32, is set with spindle 40 on which roller 4 turns. In Figure 29 is seen a front view of a basket 34, supported at its two sides on rollers 4 borne on square angle pegs in both side walls 1, as would be the case in a narrow refrigerator without center post.

To prevent accidentally pulling member 27 off the end of intermediate tube 26, a stop is provided. On intermediate tube 26 is formed a shoulder 41, Figure 23, with a square top which fits up to and slides under the flat cover 29, Figure 21. When intermediate tube 26 has been slid inside member 27, two lugs 42, slit from the side walls of channel 27, are bent inwardly to fit over intermediate tube 26. The tube cannot be drawn out then more than half way, shoulder 41 stopping against lugs 42. lVith intermediate tube 26 drawn out until arm 28 stops against the roller and member 27 drawn out until shoulder 41 stops lugs 42, the shelf basket stands out beyond the door frame, in full view and with articles on it easily accessible. If desired, the basket and contents can be lifted off and carried away, but this leaves member 27 liable to turn around on the rod, making it troublesome to put the basket back in place. A further improvement is provided, in which member 27 is securely attached to the basket and a simple lift catch replaces lugs 42.

In Figure 35 is a perspective view of the tubular member with a modification of cover 29, in which ears 43 and 44 replace corners 33 and ears. 35 of Figure 21, for securely attaching the tubular member to the basket by bending of the ears over wires of the basket, as seen in Figure 34. In this improvement, point 45 on catch 46, Figure 36, reaches down through the triangular hole 47 in cover 29 and stops against shoulder 41, as above described with reference to lugs 42. The eat-ch is mounted on pad 48, Figure 35, and has a loop 49, Figure 36, by which it may be lifted. Figure 34 is a perspective view of part of basket 34, channel 27 and ears 43 and 44, showing catch 46 with its loop 49 framed in a border wire 50. Guides 51, attached to loop 49, Figure 36, slide on the border wire, Figure 34. The catch arrangement is rovided on each side ofthe basket, as seen in igure 33. When the basket is to be entirel removed, it is gras ed by its sides, with t e fingers of the an s in t e loops lifting the catches so that points 45 escape shoulders 41 of intermediate tubes 26, seen in Figure 23.

Figure 37 is an enlarged side .view of the intermediate tube with its shoulder 41 against point 45 of the catch and of loop 49 by which the catch may be lifted. Figure 38' is an end view of catch 46, with its point 45 resting on the intermediate tube 26 and with loop 49 above, the tube and tubular member being shown in section.

While it is important that lower shelves should move forward the full distance to expose their whole contents to view without stooping, as shown in Figure 1, this is often not important with upper shelves. Lower shelves may be provided with the rods, tubes and tubular members as above described and as shown with the lower shelves in Figure 1, the upper shelves being provided only with rods and tubes. The present invention provides improvements in the manner of form ing the tubes for supporting a shelfbasket, or for being attached to it.

In Figure 18 a tube is indicated in dotted lines, with two box members 53 and 54 of sheet metal to be soldered on the tube. Member 54 is indicated as attached to the tube. When 53 is attached in corresponding opposite position, a flat top is formed, as seen in section in Figure 17. On this top is attached the sheet metal member 55, Figure 18, seen in section in Figure 17. Figure 15 is a perspective view of two tubes 6 formed in this way. Figure 14 is a top view, showing rods 3, on which tubes 6 slide, with four corners 55 providing a platform to receive the wires of basket 34. The tubes and corner members are seen in section in Figure 16, with basket 34 inside view.

In Figure 26 is shown a manner of forming such corners on tubes 6, but with means for attaching the tubes securely to the shelf basket. Members 53 and 54 are attached to the tube, as before, but a member 56 with ears 57 and 58 is attached to the flat top formed by members 53 and 54. Figure 26 is a bottom view. Figure 25 is a perspective view of the pair of tubes 6 with four such corners attached. Figure 24is a top view showing rods 3, on which slide tubes 6-with corners 56 at the four shelf corners and ears 57 and 58 bent over wires of shelf basket 34, attaching tubes 6 securely to the basket. Figure 27 is a partial top view showing tube 6 with its corner 56 and ears. 57 and 58 bent over wires 34 of the shelf basket. Figure 28 is an end view of same, partly in section, showing the ears bent over wires of shelf basket 34.

'thatmany variations of the details shown may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination, in a cabinet, of walls rods detachably anchored to one of .said walls, rollers under the free ends of said rods and mounted on walls, inner tubes slidably mounted on said rods, outer tubes slidably mounted on said inner tubes and supported on said rollers, and shelf supporting and retaining structures carried by said outer tubes.

2. The combination, in a cabinet, of walls, a pair of rods detachably anchored to one of said walls, rollers under the free ends of said rods and mounted on walls, inner tubes slidably mounted on said rods and each having a shoulder at one end and an arm attached to the other end contactable with a roller, and outer tubes slidably mounted in said inner tubes and supported on said rollers and each having a lug contactable with the shoulder of the corresponding inner tube.

3. The combination, in a cabinet, of walls,

a pair of rods detachably anchored to one of said walls, rollers under the free ends of said rods and mounted on walls, inner tubes slidably mounted on said rods and each having a stop to limit its movement and a shoulder, and outer tubes slidably mounted on said in ner tubes supported on said rollers and each having a liftable latch contactable with the shoulder of the corresponding inner tube.

4. The combination, in a cabinet, of walls, a pair of rods detachably anchored to one of said walls, rollers under the free ends of said rods, spindles for said rollers each mounted at an angle on a supporting peg, a downwardly sloping socket formed in a wall to receive the peg, and tubes slidably mounted on said rods and supported on said rollers.

5. The combination, in a cabinet, of walls,

a pair of rods detachably anchored to one of said walls, rollers under the free ends of said rods and mounted on walls, inner tubes slidably mounted on said rods, and outer tubes slidably mounted on said inner tubes and supported on said rollers, each of said outer tubes comprising a sheet metal channel having a sheel metal cover with upturned flanges whereby there is provided a flat top and borders for supporting and retaining a shelf.

6. The combination, in a cabinet, of walls, a pair of rods detachably anchored to one of said walls, rollers under the free ends of said rods and mounted on walls, inner tubes slidably mounted on said rods and outer tubes slidably mounted on said inner tubes and supported on said rollers, each of said outer tubes comprising a sheet metal channel having sheet metal cover with ears adapted to III engage a wire shelf for supporting and retainin said shelf.

'7. T e combination, in a cabinet, of walls, sockets in the rear wall rubber cups in the 6 sockets, metal cups in the rubber cups said metal cups having faces with anchor holes, rods having heads detachably anchored in said metal cups, members telescoping on the rods, and shelves supported by said mem- 10 bers.

8. The combination, in a cabinet, of walls, sockets in the rear wall, rubber cups in the sockets, said rubber cups having transverse corrugations on their inner walls, metal cups in the rubber cups, said metal cups havin terraced formations on their outer walls an faces with anchor holes, rods having heads detachably anchored in said metal cups, members telescoping on the rods, and shelves supported by said members.

9. The combination, in a cabinet, of walls, a middle post near the front of the chamber, a socket secured to the base of the chamber and receiving the bottom of said 0st, a pivoted socket secured to the roof 0 the chamher and receiving the top of said post, a retaining latch on said pivoted socket for said post, rods supported partly by said post and partly by a wall of the cabinet, tubes slid- 80 ably mounted on said rods, and shelves supported on said tubes. 7

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

HERBERT KUGIHJL. 

